Equipment Housing for Downhole Measurements

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a housing for equipment that may be employed in obtaining downhole measurement data. In one illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole, a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole, and a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is clamped between the first and second components, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to the field of dataacquisition related to oil and gas wells, and, more particularly, to ahousing for equipment that may be employed in obtaining downholemeasurement data.

2. Description of the Related Art

Oil and gas wells are formed by a rotary drilling process. To that end,a drill bit is mounted on the end of a drill string which may be verylong, e.g., several thousand feet. At the surface, a rotary drivemechanism turns the drill string and the attached drill bit at thebottom of the hole. In some cases, a downhole motor may provide thedesired rotation to the drill bit. During drilling operations, adrilling fluid (so-called drilling mud) is pumped through the drillstring and back up-hole by pumps located on the surface. The purpose ofthe drilling fluid is to, among other things, remove the earthencuttings resulting from the drilling process.

The environmental conditions that exist downhole in oil and gas wellscan be very important to drilling, production and completion operations.For example, downhole temperatures and pressures as well as fluidviscosities can greatly impact various operations that are involved increating a productive oil and gas well. More specifically, with respectto drilling operations, there is a growing desire to obtain as much dataas possible regarding downhole environmental and operating conditions.Such data may be useful for research purposes, as well as, in somecases, taking actions with respect to drilling a particular well orfuture wells. Additionally, it may be desirable to provide positionalinformation, e.g., depth, and relative location of a drilling bit, suchthat a well may be properly drilled to a desired target zone.

While there are existing methodologies for acquiring some forms ofdownhole data, such methodologies tend to be relatively expensive anddifficult to employ. What is desired is a relatively low-cost mechanismand procedure for acquiring downhole measurement data. The provision ofsuch a mechanism would allow its use on a far greater number of wells,thereby providing much more information that may be useful in drillingand completing future oil and gas wells.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and methods forsolving, or at least reducing the effects of, some or all of theaforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a housing for equipmentthat may be employed in obtaining downhole measurement data. In oneillustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first componentadapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole, a second componentadapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole, and a detachablehousing, at least a portion of which is clamped between the first andsecond components, the housing having at least one cavity formed thereinand at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In another illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a firstcomponent adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole having an endsurface, a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterraneanhole having an end surface, the first and second components beingthreadingly coupled to one another, and a detachable housing, at least aportion of which is positioned between the end surfaces of the first andsecond components, the housing having at least one cavity formed thereinand at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In a further illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a threadedpipe having an end surface, a drill bit having an end surface, the pipeand the drill bit being threadingly coupled to one another, and adetachable housing, at least a portion of which is positioned betweenthe end surfaces of the threaded pipe and the drill bit, the housinghaving at least one cavity formed therein and at least one devicepositioned within the at least one cavity.

In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises positioning atleast a portion of a detachable housing between an end surface of afirst component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole and anend surface of a second component adapted to be positioned in thesubterranean hole, the housing having at least one cavity formed thereinand at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity,threadingly coupling the first and second components to one another,thereby securing the housing between the first and second components,positioning the first component, the second component and the housing ina subterranean hole, and acquiring data using the at least one deviceafter the housing is positioned within the subterranean hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are, respectively, a side and a partial cross-sectionalview of one illustrative embodiment of a housing for equipment inaccordance with the present invention positioned between two components.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative housing inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a side view of one illustrative embodiment of the housing.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional frontal view of a cavity formed in thehousing in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative embodiment wherein the housing may bepositioned between two components.

FIG. 4 is yet another alternative embodiment wherein the housing ispositioned adjacent an interior surface of two mated components.

FIGS. 5A-5E are plan views of various illustrative configurations of thehousing of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6D are depictions of illustrative embodiments of cavitiesformed in the housing of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view depicting an alternativeembodiment of the housing of the present invention employing anattachment lip that is positioned between two components.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention wherein an end surface of a first component sealingly engagesthe housing of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a frontal view of a plurality of indicator lights and adisplay panel that may be employed with various embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative embodiment wherein a plurality ofhousings of the present invention may be employed on an illustrativedrill string.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict yet another illustrative embodiment wherein aplurality of housings of the present invention may be employed withsections of wired pipe.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the description herein of specificembodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In theinterest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation aredescribed in this specification. It will of course be appreciated thatin the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The present invention will now be described with reference to theattached figures. The words and phrases used herein should be understoodand interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding ofthose words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No specialdefinition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is differentfrom the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilledin the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term orphrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have aspecial meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilledartisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in thespecification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocallyprovides the special definition for the term or phrase.

In general, the present invention is directed to a detachable housingthat may be positioned between two downhole components that are adaptedto be positioned in a subterranean hole, e.g., a wellbore. In oneillustrative embodiment, the detachable housing may have one or morecavities wherein one or more devices, e.g., sensors and/or electricalcomponents, may be positioned in such cavities. In one very particularembodiment, the housing contains at least one cavity wherein at leastone sensor may be positioned for acquiring various forms of downholedata. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a completereading of the present application, the present invention may beemployed in connection with acquiring any of a variety of differenttypes of data, and the housing disclosed herein may be positionedbetween any of a variety of different types of components, e.g.,threaded tubulars, a tubular and a drill bit, etc. Thus, the presentinvention should not be considered as limited to the acquisition of anyparticular type of data, or as to the positioning of the housingdisclosed herein between any particular types of components, unless suchlimitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims. Nor shouldthe present invention be considered as limited to use with only sensorspositioned in the cavities of the housing, as a variety of items ordevices may be positioned in the detachable housing.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, a detachable housing 10 in accordance with oneillustrative embodiment of the present invention is positioned between afirst component 12 and a second component 14, each of which is adaptedto be positioned in a subterranean hole. The first component 12 andsecond component 14 are coupled to one another by an illustrativethreaded connection 16. The centerline 17 of the threaded connection 16is depicted in FIG. 1B. In the depicted embodiment, the first component12 is an oilfield tubular, e.g., API pipe, while the second component 14is an illustrative drill bit. However, as set forth above, the presentinvention may be positioned between any two downhole components.

In the depicted embodiment, at least a portion of the housing 10 ispositioned between an end surface 12 a of the first component 12 and anend surface 14 a of the second component 14. In some embodiments, one orboth of the end surfaces 12 a, 14 a actually engage the housing 10. Insome cases, a sealing interface may be provided between the housing 10and at least one of the end surfaces 12 a, 14 a, although such a sealinginterface may not be required in all embodiments of the presentinvention. Simply put, in some embodiments, the housing 10 is simplypositioned between the end surfaces 12 a, 14 a, while in other cases,the end surfaces 12 a, 14 a engage and clamp the housing 10 in theposition depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. The distance 15 that the housing 10extends beyond the outer surface 13 of the first component 12 may varydepending upon the particular application.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, one illustrative embodiment of the housing 10is basically configured as a ring having an inner surface 10 i, an outersurface 10 o, a top surface 10 t and a bottom surface 10 b. Anillustrative cavity 18 is formed in the housing 10. In this illustrativeembodiment, the housing 10 further comprises a cover plate 20 and seal22 that is used to isolate the cavity 18 from the outside environment.The cover plate 20 is secured in place through use of a plurality offasteners 24, e.g., screws. In some cases, the cavity 18 may simply be athreaded opening and a threaded plug may act as the cover for the cavity18. In some applications, the housing 10 may be configured to have oneor more devices positioned within the cavity 18. For example, any of avariety of sensors and/or various electrical items, e.g., a battery, atransmitter, may be positioned within the cavity 18. In the illustrativeexample where the housing 10 of the present invention is employed toobtain various forms of downhole data, the housing 10 may furthercomprise a passageway 32 (see FIG. 2A) to allow sensing of downholeenvironmental conditions that exist outside of the housing 10, e.g.,downhole pressure. However, the passageway 32 is not required in allembodiments of the present invention.

The size, shape and configuration of the housing 10 may vary dependingupon the particular application. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS.1A-1B and 2A-2C, the housing 10 is essentially a ring having a radialwidth 26 and a thickness 28. The width 26 and thickness 28 may varydepending upon the particular application. In general, the radial width26 will be at least approximately one inch, and may be as wide as can beaccommodated by the particular application. Similarly, in oneillustrative embodiment, the thickness 28 may be approximately 1.5inches or thicker. The size, shape and configuration of the cavity 18may also vary. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C,the cavity 18 is essentially a rectangular compartment. Of course, otherconfigurations are possible, e.g., a cylindrical shaped cavity.

As indicated previously, the present invention may be employed in avariety of different applications. In one illustrative example, thehousing 10 may have at least one device, e.g., at least one sensorand/or at least one item of electrical equipment, positioned in thecavity 18. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 2C, a plurality of devices 29 areshown positioned within the cavity 18. More specifically, in thedepicted embodiment, the devices 29 comprise sensors 30 and a pluralityof electrical components 31 that are mounted on a surface 18 a of thecavity 18. It should be understood that the depicted sensors 30 andelectrical components 31 are schematic and illustrative in nature.Moreover, in some cases, some of the devices employed in obtainingdownhole data, e.g., one or more sensors, may be mounted in or onanother structure, e.g., a drill bit, and the cavity 18 may contain onlyvarious electrical components. In other cases, only sensors are mountedwithin the cavity 18 and the electrical components are positionedelsewhere, e.g., a downhole sub.

The manner in which such devices, e.g., sensors 30 and/or electricalcomponents 31, are coupled together so as to obtain the desired data arewell known to those skilled in the art and thus will not be described inany greater detail herein. The sensors 30 and the electrical components31 may be mounted to the surface 18 a by a variety of known techniques,e.g., gluing, use of a potting compound, etc. Moreover, although onlythe surface 18 a is depicted as having the sensors 30 and the electricalcomponents 31 mounted thereon, such items may be mounted on any or allof the surfaces of the cavity 18 depending upon the particularapplication. Thus, the present invention should not be considered aslimited to any particular type of sensor 30 or electrical component 31or how such items are mounted within the cavity 18 of the housing 10 ofthe present invention.

In general, in one illustrative embodiment, the present invention may beused to facilitate the acquisition of data regarding any of a variety ofdifferent types of downhole data or information, including, for example,formation type, well temperature, well pressure, drill bitaccelerations, velocities and displacements, drill bit inclination andazimuth, drill bit axial load and rotational torque, drill bit rotaryspeed and rate of penetration, etc. The present invention may also beemployed to acquire ring compression data that may be indicative ofsuccessful make-up. Strain gauges may be employed in such anillustrative application. The present invention may also be employed toacquire data relating to drill pipe accelerations as well as datarelating to the dynamic behavior of any bottom hole assembly (BHA).

Examples of sensing devices that may be positioned within the cavity 18include any of a variety of different types of mechanical and/orelectrical sensors, e.g., thermometers, gyroscopes, strain gauges,accelerometers, barometers, pressure sensors, hall effect switches, etc.Examples of electrical components that may be positioned within thecavity 18 include, but are not limited to, a battery, a microprocessor,a memory unit or chip, a circuit board, a communications port, and/or ananalog-to-digital converter, etc. If desired or necessary, a pluralityof such components may be positioned within the cavity 18, e.g.,multiple batteries. The sensors 30 and electrical components 31 may becoupled together in any of a variety of known techniques.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative arrangement wherein at least a portion ofthe housing 10 of the present invention is positioned between the firstcomponent 12 and the second component 14. In FIG. 3, the secondcomponent 14 is provided with a stepped profile comprised of an endsurface 14 a, a side surface 14 b, and an end surface 14 c. In thisembodiment, the end surface 12 a of the first component 12 engages thesurface 14 c of the second component 14 while still maintaining thehousing 10 of the present invention between the end surface 12 a of thefirst component 12 and the end surface 14 a of the second component 14.

FIG. 4 is yet another alternative configuration of the present inventionwherein the housing 10 is mounted adjacent the interior surfaces 19 ofthe first component 12 and the second component 14. More specifically,the illustrative housing 10 depicted therein is positioned between anend surface 12 b of the first component 12 and an end surface 14 d ofthe second component 14 that are formed on the interior side of thethreaded connection 16. Thus, the present invention should not beconsidered as limited to any particular location of the housing 10relative to the first and second components 12, 14 unless suchlimitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims.

As indicated previously, the size, shape and configuration of thehousing 10 of the present invention may vary depending upon theparticular application. FIGS. 5A-5E are plan views depicting variousillustrative configurations of the housing 10 of the present invention.FIG. 5A depicts the illustrative example where the housing 10 isessentially configured as a ring. In some cases, if a pure ringconfiguration were employed for the housing 10, it may tend to block orrestrict fluid flow around the ring. For example, in the applicationwhere the housing 10 is placed above a drill bit, circulating mudreturning to the surface in the annulus defined between the drill pipeand the wellbore circulates past the housing 10. In such an application,it may be desirable to have as little of the housing 10 positioned inthe flow path of the returning fluid as possible. To that end, thehousing 10 of the present invention may be provided with one or moreblades or projections 36 in a variety of different configurations thattend to reduce the amount of the housing 10 in any particular flow path.For example, FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E present illustrative embodimentswherein the housing 10 has, respectively, one, two, three, and fourprojections 36. Of course, the size, shape and configuration of theprojections 36 may vary depending upon the application. Moreover, thecavity 18 may be formed in the projections 36 or in other areas of thehousing 10 where the projections 36 do not exist. In some cases, acavity 18 may be formed in each of the projections 36, although that isnot required in all embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C depict illustrative examples of the positioning of a cavity18 in the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 6A, a cavity 18 is formed in aprojection 36 that is part of the housing 10. In FIG. 6B, the cavity 18is formed such that it opens onto the interior surface 10 i of thehousing 10. In FIG. 6C, the cavity 18 is formed such that it opens ontothe top surface 10 t of the housing 10. For purposes of clarity, thecover plate 20 is not depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6C. In furtherembodiments, one of the end surfaces, e.g., 12 a, 14 a, can engage thehousing 10 and cover the cavity 18, thereby eliminating the need for thecover plate 20. FIG. 6D depicts yet another illustrative embodiment ofthe housing 10 wherein a plurality of cavities 18 are formed in thehousing 10 and the cavities are connected to one another with internalpassageways 37. In this illustrative embodiment, the devices, e.g.,electrical components 31 and/or sensors 30, positioned in the variouscavities 18 may be coupled to one another via wires positioned in thepassageways 37. Of course, all of the cavities 18 may not need to beinterconnected together by the passageways 37. Thus, the presentinvention should not be considered as limited to the illustrativeembodiment depicted in FIG. 6D unless such limitations are expressly setforth in the appended claims.

FIG. 7 depicts yet another alternative embodiment of the housing 10 ofthe present invention. As shown therein, the housing 10 has anattachment lip 38. The attachment lip 38 is positioned between the endsurface 12 a of the first component 12 and the end surface 14 of thesecond component 14. In one illustrative embodiment, the attachment lip38 may have a radial width of approximately 0.5 inches and a thicknessof approximately 0.25 inches.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of the present inventionwherein the end surface 12 a of the first component 12 is sealinglyengaged with the top surface 10 t of the housing 10. In thisconfiguration, additional sealing, e.g., an O-ring, may or may not berequired depending on the particular application. In other cases, anO-ring or other like seal may be positioned around the cavity 18 and aseal established between the O-ring and the end surface 12 a of thefirst component 12. In the latter case, there may not be ametal-to-metal seal created between the end surface 12 a and the topsurface 10 t of the housing 10.

The housing 10 may also be provided with one or more indicator lightsand/or display panels for various purposes. By way of example only, FIG.9 schematically depicts an illustrative embodiment of the housing 10with a plurality of indicator lights 40 and a display panel 42positioned thereon. Such components may be positioned such that they maybe viewed by an operator looking at the outside of the housing 10 orthey may be positioned within one or more of the cavities 18 formed inthe housing 10. In one illustrative embodiment, the indicator lights 40and the display panel 42 may be viewed from the outside, such as whenthe housing 10 is retrieved from downhole.

In the case where the present invention is employed to obtain downholedata, the indicator lights 40 and/or display panel 42 may be employed ina variety of different contexts. For example, a control logic may beestablished such that an indicator light is “on” only when a sensedparameter, e.g., temperature, pressure, torque, etc., exceeds apreselected allowable limit or range, i.e., the indicator light canindicate an out-of-tolerance or problem condition. Alternatively, thecontrol logic may be established such that the indicator light is always“on” and only goes off when an out-of-tolerance condition is sensed.Colored indicator lights may also be employed with the presentinvention, e.g., red and green lights, wherein the red light indicatedan out-of-tolerance condition and the green light indicated awithin-tolerance condition. The use of such indicator lights may be veryuseful. For example, through use of the indicator lights 40, anout-of-tolerance event may be quickly identified as soon as the housing10 is removed from the borehole. In that case, analysis of the dataacquired by the devices in the housing 10, e.g., sensors, may be given avery high priority as an out-of-tolerance condition is indicated. Absentthe use of such good/bad indicator lights, the analysis of the acquireddata may be delayed. Such delays may be very problematic in manysituations if corrective actions are delayed. Such indicator lights maybe employed for any or all sensed variables depending upon theparticular application. The indicator lights 40 may be LED devices thatare commonly found in the industry. The lights 40 may be electricallycoupled to the equipment, e.g., electrical components 31 and/or sensors30 positioned in the cavities 18 in the housing 10. The lights 40 may beactuated by known circuitry positioned within the cavities 18. Thecontrol logic used to actuate the lights 40 may be embedded in variouscircuits formed on the electrical components 31 positioned within thecavities 18, e.g., a microprocessor, a programmable logic device, etc.

As indicated in FIG. 9, the housing 10 may also be provided with one ormore display panels 42. The display panel 42 may be, for example, an LEDdisplay panel. The panel 42 may provide information with respect to oneor more variables. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the displaypanel displays the highest temperature sensed during the downholeoperation. Of course, the display panel 42 could also indicate othervariables, such as maximum downhole pressure, maximum or average torquevalues, etc. As with the indicator lights 40, the display panel 42 maybe coupled to one or more electrical components 31 and/or sensors 30positioned in the cavities 18 formed in the housing 10.

In some cases, employment of the housing 10 will require that there besufficient standoff 21 (see FIG. 1B) between the components 12, 14 toallow the housing 10 to be positioned therein. For example, with respectto FIG. 1B, there must be sufficient distance between the end surfaces12 a and 14 a to accommodate the positioning of the housing 10therebetween. To that end, modifications may be made to standardcomponents, e.g., drill pipes and drill bits, with the expectation thata housing 10 in accordance with the present invention may be employedwith some or all of those components. However, the housing 10 of thepresent invention may not be employed in all such situations. Thus, inthose situations, a spacer that is equivalent in size to the housing 10may be positioned between the first and second components 12, 14 suchthat the mechanical integrity of the connection between the first andsecond components is maintained. Such a spacer element may not have acavity 18 formed therein.

In operation, the housing 10 of the present invention is positionedbetween the first and second components 12, 14 before the components aremated together. In one embodiment, completing the threaded connection 16clamps the housing 10 between the surfaces of the components 12, 14,e.g., the housing 10 is clamped between the end surfaces 12 a and 14 adepicted in FIG. 1. Thereafter, in the illustrative embodiment where oneor more sensors 30 and/or electrical components 31 are positioned withinthe cavities 18, the components 12, 14 and the housing 10 are positioneddownhole and data is acquired regarding, for example, various downholeenvironmental conditions or positional information. In one illustrativeembodiment, this data is stored in a memory unit or chip positionedwithin the cavity 18. After sufficient data has been acquired, thehousing 10 is brought uphole and the information regarding the acquireddata is downloaded and used for any of a variety of research,development or production reasons. In some embodiments, the downloadingof the acquired information may be accomplished by an electricalconnection or by wireless interrogation using a radio or infrareddevice.

In some cases, the housing 10 of the present invention may be employedwherein the data obtained by the sensor(s) positioned within the cavity18 is sent to the surface on a real-time, or near real-time, basis. Tothat end, a communication link between the surface and the sensors 30and/or electrical components 31 within the cavity 18 is provided anddata is transmitted to the surface on a real-time or near real-timebasis.

FIG. 10 depicts another illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention. As indicated in FIG. 10, a plurality of detachable housings10 of the present invention may be positioned at various spaced-apartlocations along a drill string 50 having an illustrative drill bit 14positioned at the end thereof. In this illustrative embodiment, thedrill string 50 is comprised of many sections of standard unwired pipe.In this illustrative embodiment, data may be sensed by various sensors(not shown in FIG. 10) positioned proximate the drill bit and/or in oneor more cavities 18 formed in the housing 10 proximate the drill bit 14.The housing 10 proximate the drill bit 14 also contains a schematicallydepicted wireless transmitter 52 for transmitting data regarding theinformation or parameters sensed downhole. Each of the other housings 10contain a transmitter 52 and a schematically depicted receiver 54 thatis adapted to receive wireless transmissions from the transmitter 52 inan adjacent housing 10. In some cases, the housing 10 proximate thedrill bit 14 may also have a wireless receiver 54. Thus, in thisembodiment, the spaced-apart housings 10 may be used as relay stationsto wirelessly transmit data acquired downhole to a surface location 56.In this manner, the data acquired downhole may be sent to the surface ona real-time or near-real-time basis. The control circuitry and powersource for the transmitter 52 and receiver 54 may be contained in thecavities 18 formed in the various housings 10. The plurality of housings10 may be spaced apart any desired distance that is consistent withreliable receipt and transmission of wireless data. That is, there maybe multiple sections of pipe positioned between adjacent housings 10.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict yet another illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown therein, a drill string 60 is comprised of multiplesections of wired pipe 62 and a downhole device 64 positioned betweensections of wired pipe 62. Also depicted in FIGS. 11A-11B are aplurality of housings 10′ of the present invention. Data wires 66 areschematically depicted in the wired pipe sections 62. As is known tothose skilled in the art, data may be transmitted along the data wires66 embedded within the wired pipe 62. To that end, the lengths of wiredpipe 62 may be provided with an inductive coil 69 on both ends of eachsection of wired pipe 62 such that data may be transmitted from onesection of pipe to another after the sections are joined together.According to this aspect of the present invention, an inductive coil 68is formed in at least one end of the housing 10′. Each of the housings10′ may further comprise a wireless transmitter 52 and a wirelessreceiver 54 as discussed above with reference to the embodiment shown inFIG. 10.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11A, the housings 10′ are used towirelessly transmit data from one section of wired pipe 62 to anotherspaced-apart section of wired pipe 62. In the depicted embodiment, thedownhole device 64 is not wired, and may not be capable of being wired,e.g., a stabilizer. However, according to this aspect of the presentinvention, the transmitter and receiver in each of the housings 10′ maybe used to bypass the unwired downhole device or assembly.

In general, the present invention is directed to a housing for equipmentthat may be employed in obtaining downhole measurement data. In oneillustrative embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises afirst component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole, asecond component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole, anda detachable housing, at least a portion of which is clamped between thefirst and second components, the housing having at least one cavityformed therein and at least one device positioned within the at leastone cavity.

In another illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a firstcomponent adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole having an endsurface, a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterraneanhole having an end surface, the first and second components beingthreadingly coupled to one another, and a detachable housing, at least aportion of which is positioned between the end surfaces of the first andsecond components, the housing having at least one cavity formed thereinand at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In a further illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a threadedpipe having an end surface, a drill bit having an end surface, the pipeand the drill bit being threadingly coupled to one another, and adetachable housing, at least a portion of which is positioned betweenthe end surfaces of the threaded pipe and the drill bit, the housinghaving at least one cavity formed therein and at least one devicepositioned within the at least one cavity.

In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises positioning atleast a portion of a detachable housing between an end surface of afirst component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole and anend surface of a second component adapted to be positioned in thesubterranean hole, the housing having at least one cavity formed thereinand at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity,threadingly coupling the first and second components to one another,thereby securing the housing between the first and second components,positioning the first component, the second component and the housing ina subterranean hole, and acquiring data using the at least one deviceafter the housing is positioned within the subterranean hole.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. For example, the process steps set forth above may beperformed in a different order. Furthermore, no limitations are intendedto the details of construction or design herein shown, other than asdescribed in the claims below. It is therefore evident that theparticular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified andall such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of theinvention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth inthe claims below.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a first component adapted to be positionedin a subterranean hole; a second component adapted to be positioned insaid subterranean hole; a detachable housing, at least a portion ofwhich is clamped between said first and second components, said housinghaving at least one cavity formed therein; and at least one devicepositioned within said at least one cavity.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said at least one device is comprised of a sensor.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one device is comprised ofan electrical component.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said atleast one device is comprised of at least one sensor and at least oneelectrical component.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said firstand second components are threadingly coupled to one another.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said first component comprises at leastone of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said second component comprises at least one of a threaded pipeand a drill bit.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first andsecond components are sections of pipe.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein an end surface of said first component and an end surface ofsaid second component engage said housing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said housing has a plurality of cavities formed therein.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one sensor is positioned in eachof said plurality of cavities.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein atleast one electrical component is positioned in each of said cavities.13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one sensor and at leastone electrical component is positioned in each of said plurality ofcavities.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing ispositioned adjacent an exterior surface of said first component.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent aninterior surface of said first component.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said at least one cavity has at least one of a generallycylindrical configuration and a generally rectangular configuration. 17.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover plate positionedover said at least one cavity.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one passageway extending from said at least onecavity to an external surface of said housing.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 10, further comprising an internal passageway formed in saidhousing that connects at least two of said plurality of cavities to oneanother.
 20. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one sensoris comprised of at least one of a thermometer, a gyroscope, anaccelerometer, a strain gauge, a barometer, a pressure sensor and a halleffect switch.
 21. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least oneelectrical component comprises at least one of a battery, amicroprocessor, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a circuitboard, an analog-to-digital converter, a communications port and amemory chip.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housingcomprises an attachment lip that is clamped between said first andsecond components.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing isconfigured as a ring.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housingfurther comprises at least one projection, a cavity formed in said atleast one projection, and at least one device positioned in said cavityformed in said projection.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidhousing further comprises a plurality of projections, each of saidprojections having a cavity formed therein, and at least one devicepositioned in each of said cavities.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein an end surface of at least one of said first and secondcomponents is positioned over said at least one cavity and is sealinglyengaged with a surface of said housing.
 27. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising at least one indicator light coupled to said housing.28. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one displaypanel coupled to said housing.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27, whereinsaid at least one indicator light is coupled to an exterior surface ofsaid housing.
 30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said at least onedisplay panel is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.
 31. Anapparatus, comprising: a first component adapted to be positioned in asubterranean hole; a second component adapted to be positioned in saidsubterranean hole, the first and second components being threadinglycoupled to one another; a detachable housing, at least a portion ofwhich is positioned between said first and second components, saidhousing having at least one cavity formed therein; and at least onedevice positioned within said at least one cavity.
 32. The apparatus ofclaim 31, wherein said at least one device is comprised of a sensor. 33.The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said at least one device is comprisedof an electrical component.
 34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein saidat least one device is comprised of at least one sensor and at least oneelectrical component.
 35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said firstcomponent comprises at least one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit. 36.The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said second component comprises atleast one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.
 37. The apparatus of claim31, wherein said first and second components are sections of pipe. 38.The apparatus of claim 31, wherein an end surface of said firstcomponent and an end surface of said second component engage saidhousing.
 39. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing has aplurality of cavities formed therein.
 40. The apparatus of claim 39,wherein at least one sensor is positioned in each of said plurality ofcavities.
 41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein at least one electricalcomponent is positioned in each of said cavities.
 42. The apparatus ofclaim 39, wherein at least one sensor and at least one electricalcomponent is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.
 43. Theapparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent anexterior surface of said first component.
 44. The apparatus of claim 31,wherein said housing is positioned adjacent an interior surface of saidfirst component.
 45. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said at leastone cavity has at least one of a generally cylindrical configuration anda generally rectangular configuration.
 46. The apparatus of claim 31,further comprising a cover plate positioned over said at least onecavity.
 47. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising at least onepassageway extending from said at least one cavity to an externalsurface of said housing.
 48. The apparatus of claim 39, furthercomprising an internal passageway formed in said housing that connectsat least two of said plurality of cavities to one another.
 49. Theapparatus of claim 32, wherein said at least one sensor is comprised ofat least one of a thermometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a straingauge, a barometer, a pressure sensor and a hall effect switch.
 50. Theapparatus of claim 33, wherein said at least one electrical componentcomprises at least one of a battery, a microprocessor, a wirelesstransmitter, a wireless receiver, a circuit board, an analog-to-digitalconverter, a communications port and a memory chip.
 51. The apparatus ofclaim 31, wherein said housing comprises an attachment lip that isclamped between said first and second components.
 52. The apparatus ofclaim 31, wherein said housing is configured as a ring.
 53. Theapparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing further comprises at leastone projection, a cavity formed in said at least one projection, and atleast one device positioned in said cavity formed in said projection.54. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing further comprises aplurality of projections, each of said projections having a cavityformed therein, and at least one device positioned in each of saidcavities.
 55. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein an end surface of atleast one of said first and second components is positioned over said atleast one cavity and is sealingly engaged with a surface of saidhousing.
 56. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising at least oneindicator light coupled to said housing.
 57. The apparatus of claim 31,further comprising at least one display panel coupled to said housing.58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said at least one indicator lightis coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.
 59. The apparatus ofclaim 57, wherein said at least one display panel is coupled to anexterior surface of said housing.
 60. An apparatus, comprising: a lengthof pipe; a drill bit, the length of pipe and the drill bit beingthreadingly coupled to one another; a detachable housing, at least aportion of which is positioned between said length of pipe and saiddrill bit, said housing having at least one cavity formed therein; andat least one device positioned within said at least one cavity.
 61. Theapparatus of claim 60, wherein said at least one device is comprised ofa sensor.
 62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said at least onedevice is comprised of an electrical component.
 63. The apparatus ofclaim 60, wherein said at least one device is comprised of at least onesensor and at least one electrical component.
 64. The apparatus of claim60, wherein an end surface of said length of pipe and an end surface ofsaid drill bit engage said housing.
 65. The apparatus of claim 60,wherein said housing has a plurality of cavities formed therein.
 66. Theapparatus of claim 65, wherein at least one sensor is positioned in eachof said plurality of cavities.
 67. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein atleast one electrical component is positioned in each of said cavities.68. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein at least one sensor and at leastone electrical component is positioned in each of said plurality ofcavities.
 69. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing ispositioned adjacent an exterior surface of said length of pipe.
 70. Theapparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent aninterior surface of said length of pipe.
 71. The apparatus of claim 60,wherein said at least one cavity has at least one of a generallycylindrical configuration and a generally rectangular configuration. 72.The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising a cover plate positionedover said at least one cavity.
 73. The apparatus of claim 60, furthercomprising at least one passageway extending from said at least onecavity to an external surface of said housing.
 74. The apparatus ofclaim 65, further comprising an internal passageway formed in saidhousing that connects at least two of said plurality of cavities to oneanother.
 75. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said at least one sensoris comprised of at least one of a thermometer, a gyroscope, anaccelerometer, a strain gauge, a barometer, a pressure sensor and a halleffect switch.
 76. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said at least oneelectrical component comprises at least one of a battery, amicroprocessor, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a circuitboard, an analog-to-digital converter, a communications port and amemory chip.
 77. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housingcomprises an attachment lip that is clamped between said length of pipeand said drill bit.
 78. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housingis configured as a ring.
 79. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein saidhousing further comprises at least one projection, a cavity formed insaid at least one projection, and at least one device positioned in saidcavity formed in said projection.
 80. The apparatus of claim 60, whereinsaid housing further comprises a plurality of projections, each of saidprojections having a cavity formed therein, and at least one devicepositioned in each of said cavities.
 81. The apparatus of claim 60,wherein an end surface of said length of pipe is positioned over said atleast one cavity and is sealingly engaged with a surface of saidhousing.
 82. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising at least oneindicator light coupled to said housing.
 83. The apparatus of claim 60,further comprising at least one display panel coupled to said housing.84. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein said at least one indicator lightis coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.
 85. The apparatus ofclaim 83, wherein said at least one display panel is coupled to anexterior surface of said housing.
 86. A method, comprising: positioningat least a portion of a detachable housing between an end surface of afirst component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole and anend surface of a second component adapted to be positioned in saidsubterranean hole, the housing having at least one cavity formed thereinand at least one device positioned within said at least one cavity;threadingly coupling said first and second components to one another,thereby securing said housing between said first and second components;positioning said first component, said second component and said housingin said subterranean hole; and acquiring data using said at least onedevice after said housing is positioned within said subterranean hole.87. The method of claim 86, wherein said at least one device iscomprised of a sensor.
 88. The method of claim 86, wherein said at leastone device is comprised of an electrical component.
 89. The method ofclaim 86, wherein said at least one device is comprised of at least onesensor and at least one electrical component.
 90. The method of claim86, wherein said first and second components are threadingly coupled toone another.
 91. The method of claim 86, wherein said first componentcomprises at least one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.
 92. Themethod of claim 86, wherein said second component comprises at least oneof a threaded pipe and a drill bit.
 93. The method of claim 86, whereinsaid first and second components are sections of pipe.
 94. The method ofclaim 86, wherein an end surface of said first component and an endsurface of said second component engage said housing.
 95. The method ofclaim 86, wherein said housing has a plurality of cavities formedtherein.
 96. The method of claim 95, wherein at least one sensor ispositioned in each of said plurality of cavities.
 97. The method ofclaim 95, wherein at least one electrical component is positioned ineach of said cavities.
 98. The method of claim 95, wherein at least onesensor and at least one electrical component is positioned in each ofsaid plurality of cavities.
 99. The method of claim 86, wherein said atleast one cavity has at least one of a generally cylindricalconfiguration and a generally rectangular configuration.
 100. The methodof claim 95, wherein said housing further comprises an internalpassageway formed in said housing that connects at least two of saidplurality of cavities to one another.
 101. The method of claim 86,wherein said at least one sensor is comprised of at least one of athermometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a strain gauge, a barometer,a pressure sensor and a hall effect switch.
 102. The method of claim 87,wherein said at least one electrical component comprises at least one ofa battery, a microprocessor, a wireless transmitter, a wirelessreceiver, a circuit board, an analog-to-digital converter, acommunications port and a memory chip.
 103. The method of claim 85,further comprising at least one indicator light coupled to said housing.104. The method of claim 85, further comprising at least one displaypanel coupled to said housing.
 105. The method of claim 103, whereinsaid at least one indicator light is coupled to an exterior surface ofsaid housing.
 106. The method of claim 104, wherein said at least onedisplay panel is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.